of montague



waere-w i gi.

L. e. Ric E, o F M our AGUE, MA s s AC HU su TT's.

Letters Patent No. 84,579,11ated December l, 1868.*

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR NEEASU'RING SKIRTS The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent an making of the saine.

To all when?J it may concern Be it lmown that I, L. G. RICE, of Montague, in.

have invented a new and and improved SkirtMeasuring Device; and I do hereby declare that the following is' a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings, forming part of-this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for taking measurements for ladies skirts.

It consists of a skeleton frame enveloped with a covering inthe form of a skirt,rwhich may be placed on the floor beside a lajdy, and adjusted to a position corresponding with the height of her waist, the 'tension of the covering during its adjustment being always preserved.

0n this frame a skirt may be fitted to suit the vsize of the person measured.

Figure l represents a sectional elevation of my improved apparatus, and

Figure 2 represents a section taken at right angles Vto'that of iig. 1,

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

- A represents a` vertical stand having a circular base, B, which may rest on the Hoor, orbe elevated a short distance above it, on legs.

C represents a skeleton frame of wire hoops, supported upon the brackets D, provided with a circular waist, E, arranged to slide vertically on the stand, and maintainedat a sufficient altitude above the base by the Spiral spring F.

G represents a cloth covering 'secured to the waist,

and at the lower end passing under the hoop B, and' secured to' the hoop H, suspended by the cords I, which pass through the staples K, on the stand, and are secured to the cleats L, which areA secured to the brackets.

The waist E is provided withV a set-screw, by which it may be secured at any point.

To ascertain the length of a skirt that will lit a person, the apparatus standing by the side of the person may be adjusted to the height ofthe waist of' the person yto be fitted, which may he ascertained'by placing a stick against the waist of the person, and across the top of the apparatus; the stick will assume a llevel condition when the two are equal.

When the skeleton is adjusted up or down on" the stand, the covering will be ch'awn under the hoop B, in either direction, and always maintained in a taut condition. l

Having thus described my invention,

.I claim as new,'and. desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination of the cords I, or equivalent, the spring F, a'nd hoop H, with the base B, frame A', and cover G, whereby, as the waist E is adj usted upon the f1an1e,'4the tension of 4the cover is preserved, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

` L. G. RICE. Witnesses:

G. A. CLAPP, W. H. WARD. 

